Certified Wound/Ostomy Nurse RN or LPN

Wound/Ostomy Nurse

Collaborates with healthcare providers to direct and coordinate comprehensive care for patients with wounds, ostomies, fistulas, and complex skin integrity issues. The Wound/Ostomy Nurse will serve the inpatient, swing bed and outpatient areas. Plays a vital role in improving patient outcomes, reducing hospital-acquired conditions, and enhancing patient dignity and comfort. Independently assess patient and family learning needs and provide education accordingly.

Qualifications: Graduate of accredited school of nursing. Current Iowa license (RN or LPN) Minimum 2 years of nursing experience Wound and ostomy experience preferred. Must have willingness to complete an accredited CWON Nursing Education Program certification within 3 years. BCLS, ACLS as indicated by area of responsibility.

Accountability: Reports to Perioperative Manager and Perioperative Assistant Manager Direct Reports: None

Position-Specific Requirements:

• Wound Care: Assess and manage acute and chronic wounds (e.g., pressure ulcers, surgical wounds, diabetic ulcers). Recommend advanced wound care products and therapies. Monitor healing and prevent complications. Implement plans to prevent pressure ulcers and other wound developments. Under the direction of a designated wound care provider and in accordance with provider orders, performs appropriate debridement of devitalized tissue. Provides consultation for individuals with altered skin integrity to develop individualized plans of care and attain expected outcomes. Provides guidance to staff in implementing protocols to identify, control, or eliminate etiologic factors for skin breakdown, including selection of appropriate support surfaces. Validates pressure ulcer data collection for nursing quality indicators.
• Ostomy Care: Assists providers with selecting optimal stoma sites preoperatively to promote post-operative independence. Provides preoperative and postoperative education to patients (and their families) who are undergoing ostomy surgery, with consideration of the need for physical and psychological adaptation. Assess the stoma and stoma functioning and initiates appropriate procedures for stoma care. Provides appropriate educational information to patients, including postoperative and discharge instructions about care, referrals, and supply needs. Serves as a resource for patients after discharge through telephone consultation or outpatient services.
• Education Consultation: Educate patients, families, and staff on wound, ostomy, and continence care. Serve as a consultant to interdisciplinary teams. Participate in staff development and policy creation.

Other duties as necessary. Staff Education Responsible for providing staff training (face-to-face, handouts, etc.) on best practices for skin care and wound and ostomy management. Will complete staff competencies and observations of wound and ostomy care management and provide feedback.

Work Environment: Works in a well-illuminated, climate-controlled environment. May come in contact with hazardous chemical or treatment modalities. Possibility exists of exposure to communicable diseases. Involvement in inpatient care may result in unavoidable work-related illness or injury. Work environment is comfortable, with minimal exposure to physical hazards. Moderate to loud noise environment when machines/equipment in use. Involvement in checking in/moving of supplies may result in unavoidable work-related injury. Must be constantly alert for patient/family emergency situations.